I've been Glazed!!

Nothing like a fun new photo app to take my attention away from packing!

I thought Instagram rocked with all the filters you can use.  

Well, it does, but here's a new little app that takes it a little further!

I IG'd my Biscotti basket earlier this week ... the original "no filter" photo is in the middle.

The rest are the results of my playtime!!

Do you know this lady?

She makes me laugh and inspires me.

You need to go to her e-book where she shares photo tips, guide to mostly free apps, it just might rock your world.  And they are EASY PEASY.

Right up my alley!

I am looking forward to using this new art form on some of my Christmas photos!!

Will be trying more in the next few weeks, or tomorrow, if I am still procrastinating my move!!

Making the World the More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

Or Photo in this case!!

xo,

kim

Merry Christmas!

And to my friends that may not celebrate Christmas ... I wish you the beautiful sentiments of the season!!

These are the images in my mind right now ... 

But here is my Reality ... It arrived yesterday!

So my sweet friends ... I am checking out for a couple of weeks ... I may pop something up here if the inspiration or time allows.

Most likely you won't hear from me until after the New Year!

We are filled to the brim with boxes and bubble wrap and I best get busy!!

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year ... see you back in 2014!!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-It's ... Holiday Rush!

1.  Working in a Foyer ... Hexagon Belgium Linen. Comin' atcha!

2. The Boys.  Contest.  Check it Out!

3.  Biscotti for Breakfast.  I love Tradition.

4.  Shiny Christmas Clusters.

5.  Bedroom Sconces ready to be installed.

6.  "MeanSticks" because the first time I saw these I thought they were meant to keep people out. Had no idea they were to help the plows!

7.  Sacrilege is happening.  I am throwing away magazines.  Hoarding has to stop!

8.  Rearranging the house to accommodate lights.

9.  They boys were allowed back on the sofa.  I'm a pushover.

Happy Weekend!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Cottage Style

Happy Monday!  The to-do list this week is packed with client projects, personal projects (moving in 21 days), Christmas shopping.  

Lions and Tigers and Bears ... Oh My!  

I am feeling a little like Dorothy ... but I am still spinning in the tornado.  

Looking forward to a safe landing on December 30th!

As I am certain many of you will understand I have been decorating our "new" home in my head for a month now.  I have walked through every room in my head when I should be sleeping.   Over and Over.  It is exhausting. 

I pinned this little cottage over a year ago.

This image spoke to me  ... how welcoming and warm ... and I just tucked it away on my Home Board.

Well as I have been scouring images on line and in magazines for small space inspiration ... I found the INSIDE of this home!

I would like to say that we will be moving into an "old" home that has some of this character.  Seems we keep ending up with a home built in the 60's.

Nothing wrong with the 1960's by the way, 

They just don't have the patina.

I like old things.  

Notice the pop of red?  Still considering that pop for our kitchen.  

Not sure I can pull the trigger though.

Definitely working with a smaller space.

And this under the stair thing.  I definitely have a place in mind!!

With good fortune, it won't be housing some major support beam that cannot be touched.

I hate obstacles.

Antiques and Painted Floors. 

The Mirror Gallery Wall is perfect in this tiny space!

All Images

We will be inheriting a dormer wall just like this in our master bedroom.  Not certain how I am going to address that quite yet.  

But we are moving from a King to a Queen Bed.  How do you feel about that?

Yeah, I'm not sure either.

Gettin' after it  ...

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip-It's ... Shiny Times Ahead!

1.  You know my magazine struggles.  I am purging.  Scary and Good. #cleanslate.

2.  Last year's wrapping theme.  Stripes and Reindeer.

3.  Enormous Gloss Red/Orange Drum Chandelier.  Swoon.

4.  GORGEOUS new carpets from AA. Pictures don't capture the Amazingness!

5.  The Votes Are In.  Pantone Color of 2014. Radiant Orchid. Boom.

6.  Cheetah Ribbon, Copper Angels and Stars ... Christmas Bannister.

7.  SHINY Green Apple.  In case I can't get the Shiny Drum Light.

8.  Byron is sleeping in the "boudoir" chair.  Thinks he's little!

9.  2 Years ago ... I was in to "natural with a Shiny Twist".  I cringe.

Funny state of things here on Farm Road.
Unpacking Boxes to decorate for Christmas.
Packing boxes to move.
Bi - Polar house situation.

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Bringin' in the Green ...

I think it is because I am a Libra.  Last night at dinner we had a "sign" discussion. 

 Do you ever really think about this?

My family agrees that as a Libra I like to "visit".  Yes, we have had discussions about this ... what is your strength?  Mine ... as lame as it sounds ... is to "visit".  There is nothing I would rather do than sit on a porch, deck, den, table with a glass of tea or wine or whatever you are or I am pouring.  

It all started on my Aunt Matt's porch in Greenville, Alabama.

Have a I told you about this?  When the mosquitos were out she smothered me in Vick's Vapor Rub. 

Yes, it works.

Not even the nasty mosquitos can interfere with a good

VISIT.

Photo: Interiors Magazine

And also as a Libra ... I have a hard time making up my mind.  

I like Rustic. I like Refined.  I love Both.

Photo: Garden and Gun 

But I do Know that I want to bring in the Green.  

And with Black and Cream Buffalo Plaid.

Not only at Christmas.

What do you do best?

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Splitting Up!

While decorating is going on here at home for Christmas ... my mind is reeling with decorating our "new" home.  We are scheduled to move in on December 30.  

My "Decorista" self is splitting in two completely different directions.

So dreaming every minute about how I want my next kitchen to feel, I do know one thing.  We definitely want to bring in a piece of furniture to use as a pantry or display cabinet for all of our glassware.  We are going to need the space in the kitchen

 ... and I just happen to like the look!

Old Wood and Chicken Wire. I love the French feel ... 

via

This piece is a little more simple lined ... but still very pleasing ... 

via

The Soft Blackness of this one filled with Glass,White and Silver.

Beautiful.

via

The next one is probably my favorite.  I really am not certain if this was a stand alone piece that was worked to look built in or if it is a custom cabinet.

via

Whatever it was/is ... I want one.

So while still in the mode of shopping in my own home to use what we have and make it feel fresh.

If you recall the Beast.  Well ... she will be making an upward move.

From the Basement to the Kitchen.

Now ... Over the next few days I have to decide a color.  

My goal is to paint it before we move.  We'll see. 

Does she go White. Clean. Simple.

Does she go GLOSS RED and make a statement.

Does she get some AS Chalk Paint for a softer patina.

I will be asking you for some input ... I do hope you will chime in!

I'll be adding more inspiration photos to my Pinterest Board. Here.

In the meantime ... I brought these Cinnamon scented pine cones home last week.  

When Sammy walked in the door after school, she said ...

"It smells like Happiness in here!"

Yep, I promptly bought another bag!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Word of Thanks ...

What a wonderful year it has been and I feel tremendously blessed by the friendships and support this blog has given to me.

Personally and  professionally.  You have pushed me in my DIY skills! My design aesthetic, looking both to those younger and those more experienced than me, a constant reminder of the talent out there and that I have so much still to learn and experience.

Friendships that have developed through a beautiful world of design and blogging.

I raise a toast to all of you this Thanksgiving.

And my sincere hope that I have brought some inspiration to you.

And to remember as we live in this virtual world, that it is the health and love of our family and our friendships that are the real blessings.

I invite you all, anytime, to my table of thanks and celebration.

Your visits, in person, or virtually make my day!

 I look forward with delight to another year with you all ... 

As I strive to pursue my vision ...

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

See you all on Monday ... Peace and love and joy to all of you!

xo,

kim

Prepping for Thanks ...

As I know all of you were doing the same thing.  I will not belabor the point.  

The weekend was about getting read for Thanksgiving.

And I am not talking about Grocery Shopping.  I am doing that this morning!

Because of our Move, we decided to decorate for Thanksgiving as well as Christmas.  I normally won't bring in Christmas until the weekend AFTER Thanksgiving.  I made a choice this year to let that be okay. I want this season of Thanks and Blessings to be long, as we have been blessed and are Thankful for the past 7 years in our home at Farm Road.

Yes, we are looking forward to our next Chapter.

But the life, love and laughter that happened here is special.

And I want it to resonate with our children.

 Some Sneak Peeks at the process.

Chevron Table Runner left over from the Illusion.

Antler Ornaments from Walmart. Yep.  Walmart. $1.97. Thank You Very Much!

I considered Spray Painting Them.  I voted for A Natural Feeling.

Birch Logs.  From The New Hampshire State Tree.

Erin even commented ..." I know you are all about the Natural thing with Gold and all", but maybe you should bring in some Navy.  

I do love her, You know I do.

But ... No.

 Grocery Shopping this morning.  We will be Biscotti Making, Thanksgiving Prepping, House Warming, and Packing this week!

Making The World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Friday Snip - It's ...

1.  Working on WallPaper for two clients this week ... Here's how the samples were wrapped up from Schumacher.  Best present!!

2.  The Martin Group Showroom at the Boston Design Center.  Stunning.

3.  Circus Animals.  Why not?

4.  New Ceiling Light from Currey & Co.  Love.

5.  Colorful Rolling Pins.  I need some!

6.  Designing Custom piece for a client.

7. Navy/Taupe Stark.  Stair Runner.  It's a Go!

8.  I need a place under my Staircase.

9.  French Trumeau Mirror heading to a client today!

Happy Friday my friends!!  

Pop Up Sale ...

As our move is going to happen pretty quickly ... I am beginning to purge.  

Let the Down Size Begin!

As well as popping these up on Craigslist ... I thought I'd give a shout out to my locals ... 

So here's what is going first!

Bought this Chippendale Style Camelback sofa antiquing in Maine several summers ago.

Bought this Antique Secretary on the same Maine trip.  I am going to miss this one.  She is 52" wide and I don't have a home for her.  I think you should take her!

You can see that we stored a TV in here.  Loved it in my kitchen!

This Ballard Design Chair and Ottoman ... this is from their website ... mine are like brand new!

Who am I kidding ... Diamondback Elliptical ... I don't think I'll miss this one much!

Clearly these are local pick ups ... I am negotiable on all.  If you or anyone has an interest ... let me know!

I Will be Popping Up with more things as we go along!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

House/Life Changes ...

Happy Monday Morning my sweet blog friends ... Change is in the air and I feel it is time I share with you what is happening in my little part of the world.

I am really going to try and not be too wordy, I know we really just like to look at pretty photos!

In September Don and I sold our Farm Road house.  I consider this the house where our family grew up together.  With Don traveling so much, Erin and Callie off to college and Christopher and Sammy only with us every other week ... we were starting to feel "house overwhelmed".  Mostly this was me ... Alot of the time it was just me and our dogs.

We actually put our home on the market back in May.  Nothing happened and before Callie's graduation in early June I asked Don to take the For Sale sign out of the yard.  He kind of looked at me ... and said "ok."  Just one of the reasons I love him so much, he really didn't press me ... I just told him it wasn't the right time.  I truly felt something was not right.  So off we went along to our summer routine, kids in and out and the house was full.  

Slowly the nest started emptying again, Erin left for Auburn in early August.  We moved Callie into Bucknell mid-August.  School started for Sammy and Christopher and Don was on the road. Alot.

Then, probably the most significant change that took place.  In September Murphy died.  We had a dog trainer when Murphy was a puppy and one thing he told me is that every dog needs a job.  I really didn't understand this until now.  Murphy's job was to patrol our yard every morning and every night.  I used to tell the kids that Murphy is letting all the little creatures know he is watching and listening as he literally circled the property barking twice a day.  At the same time. Each morning and each night.

It hit me that Murphy was the reason we couldn't sell the house in May.  This was his home.  He made his last rounds this past September.  

He had done his job and he had done it very well. 

Two weeks later we put our house on the market on a Monday.  It sold on Tuesday Night.  I do believe things happen for a reason and I should listen to my instincts more often!

We have been on the hunt and I think quite possibly seen every home on the market in the two town area where we live and want to stay for Christopher and Sammy to finish school.

We found one just a mile away from our Farm Road house ... which is sort of weird.  But it is time for us to move on!  I am a little shy of sharing because it isn't signed and sealed yet.

Okay, this isn't the one we chose ...  But we did look at the land!

Don and I are a little like wanderers.  We like change and we like new "house" adventures.
  

We are calling this next one the 5-year Plan.  Or Forever.  How does one really know?

Feeling pretty positive about this down sizing ... 

Yep, Changes are coming and I hope you'll enjoy the ride with us!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

Sharing a post on one of my favorite Paris Trips with Sandy today!

xo,

kim

Friday Snip - It's ... Details to Follow!

1.  Texture is becoming a more and more important detail to me.

2.  Celebration Sushi night ... check in with me on Monday and I'll share the details!!

3.  Hardware detail.

4.  Persian rug ottoman.  I like this detail.

5.  Lamps coming into a client's home.  A detail that can't be overlooked.

6.  Beautiful Fall Day in Boston.  Iron Detail.

7.  Carved Furniture.  Without this detail this piece wouldn't be worth a look!

8.  Traditional Ethan Allen is bringing in the Fun Detail ... finally!

9.  Hand Painted Persian Box.  Color and Movement Detail.

I have been very focused on these details this week. 

Are you noticing the details?  Kind of like smelling the Roses.

Notice them this weekend!!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim

Chair Addiction ... The Reality!

Hi My name is Kim Macumber and I have a Chair (and possible sofa!) Addiction.  And no matter how many steps I go through ... I am not certain I will every overcome this.

Some people (my Husband) might call this hoarding.  I have no idea what he is thinking.

I am saving history and being the most "green" a person can be.  Repurposing.  Whether I have the immediate purpose or not.  That is NOT the point.

So ... back to my addiction ... as I might not be the only one with this I thought I should share a little "new" source for you.  

This is a Louis XVI settee ... you know how I know this?  Well, I just know this ... but you know how I can find out things I don't know about styles and era's? I go here.

Perhaps you just buy things because you like them?  I have no issue with this.  You don't really care whether the styles you love are Mid-Century Modern, Louis XVI, or Baroque.

But maybe when you are sitting around with the gals having a few glasses of wine, you cannot imagine the delight you will see in their eyes when you announce that you picked up this fabulous Louis XVI Chair over the weekend for a steal ... they will get wide-eyed with the whole mystery of the thing.

My husband does not give me this reaction.  You need serious friends for this!

This is a 1960 reproduction of a Bergère ... that was from my parents home.  Free to me.

And when I got it ... brown paisley.  Not my scene.

The orange leather hide was a find for $85.00 while looking for something completely different.  That is when it happens.  I had no idea what the future held for it.  But then there it was.  You can read more about this chair's adventure here.  And yes, I particularly like real furniture in the yard.

Then these two ... Fauteuils which I found at Brimfield.  I paid $250 for the pair.  I didn't haggle at all.  I was a neophyte.  My first Brimfield trip and my first ever purchase there.  I was in unknown territory and I wanted them.  Badly.  

All re-done and Red Cat Like.  

Once I started getting the hang of things I started working the system. 

 I am still uncomfortable with this.  Louis XVI Settee for $300.  Scored it for $150.  Erin was with me and we found this disaster in the field.  When I was taking it apart to recover it I found a petrified mouse.  No lie.  I immediately took it to my professional.  Some things you just have to send to others. 

 I know my limit.

I had this done for Erin's room.  She loves it and I know it will travel with her through life. All remnants of the mouse are long gone.

We had it recovered (re-built!) in an embroidered white cotton to keep it fun and flirty.  The best part is that she was with me when we were loading up the car with crazy items.  This was the last piece ... we made it fit.  You can read about this here.

So ... in my beautiful world ...  she will remember our adventure that day every time she looks or sits in this settee.  The Best part.

I have been a long supporter and shopper on OKL ... but now love the fact that they are not only a good shopping resource but you can actually learn a little about all the fabulous things that draw your attention.

Makes the whole game more fun!  Thanks OKL!

Next time your looking for something specific or want to know what it is that you have and love.  You have a new resource.  Use it!

Making the World More Beautiful.  One Room at a Time.

xo,

kim